epitome
Americannoun
-
a person or thing that is typical of or possesses to a high degree the features of a whole class.
He is the epitome of goodness.
- Synonyms:
- quintessence, typification, model, exemplification, embodiment
-
a condensed account, especially of a literary work; abstract.
noun
-
a typical example of a characteristic or class; embodiment; personification
he is the epitome of sloth
-
a summary of a written work; abstract
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of epitome
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin epitomē “abridgment,” from Greek epitomḗ “abridgment, surface incision,” equivalent to epi- + -tome
Explanation
If you're talking about a typical example of something, call it the epitome. The cartoon character Garfield is the epitome of the lazy, food-obsessed cat. Coming to us from Greek through Latin, epitome refers to something that is the ultimate representative of its class. Are you the epitome of the hard-working student or do you believe in study in moderation? Make sure you pronounce epitome with the accent on the second syllable (uh-PIH-tuh-mee).
Vocabulary lists containing epitome
100 Words to Make You Sound Smart
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Sapiens
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
For many, Aaron Copland’s ballets are the epitome of “American music.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
"He was the epitome of a successful man."
From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026
“The U.S. is the epitome of the trend, but it’s not unique to the U.S.,” said Thibault Camelli, a former French diplomat now at New York University and an authority on U.N. budgeting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
Meanwhile, the primary bathroom is the epitome of luxury thanks to its emerald tiles, walk-in shower, and a large soaking tub.
From MarketWatch ● May 28, 2026
They were, in effect, an epitome of his reading.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
I think that is especially apropos for this epoch in our country and I hope everyone votes for whom they think epitomes that sentiment--regardless of political party of affiliation.
From New York Times ● Apr. 19, 2016
“Symphony in C” has long been one of the epitomes of high-orthodox ballet classicism.
From New York Times ● May 22, 2013
I read Paradise Lost, or Richard III, it is clear that Milton and Shakespeare took real pleasure and satisfaction from creating these epitomes of evil.
From The Guardian ● May 15, 2013
Sometimes the very men who became epitomes of chivalric virtue turned away from its presumptions in disgust.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 22, 2011
Some of those epitomes are more, some less, worthy; sometimes there appears only a poor deformity or a feeble-minded attempt, sometimes a strong and vigorous embodiment of the root idea.
From Life and Matter A Criticism of Professor Haeckel's 'Riddle of the Universe' by Lodge, Oliver, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
